General Studies Paper-3 Context Recently, two Indian ‘aquanauts’ travelled deep into the Atlantic Ocean as part of preparations for the upcoming Samudrayaan Project, under which India aims to send three humans to depths of 6,000 metres by 2027. About the Samudrayaan Project It is a flagship initiative under India’s Deep Ocean Mission, approved by the Cabinet in 2021 with a budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years. Key objectives include: Harness India’s 11,098 km-long coastline through a blue economy strategy. Explore untapped deep-sea minerals, fuels, and biodiversity resources. Protect and secure undersea telecommunication cables, vital for global connectivity. Place India....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the NISAR satellite from Sriharikota on July 30 onboard a GSLV Mk-II rocket. NISAR Satellite NISAR is an Earth-observation satellite that stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. It is Jointly developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation under a partnership agreement signed in 2014. It will be launched into a polar Sun-synchronous dawn-dusk orbit at 747 km altitude and an inclination of 98.4º. NISAR is the first satellite mission to collect radar data in two microwave bandwidth regions,....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context ISRO will launch three more navigation satellites, NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05, by 2026 to bolster the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) Established by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NavIC is India’s autonomous regional navigation satellite system, designed to fulfill both civilian and military navigational needs. NavIC was erstwhile known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). It provides precise Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services within India and extends up to 1,500 km beyond the country’s borders, forming its primary service area. NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: Recently, India thwarted Pakistani aerial attacks along the western border through its air defence systems, and successfully neutralized an air defence system in Lahore, Pakistan. About the Air Defence Systems These are critical components of a nation’s security infrastructure, designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats such as enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones. These systems operate through layered defense mechanisms, combining radars, missile interceptors, electronic warfare tools, and command centers to safeguard airspace. Key Components of Air Defence Systems Detection and Surveillance: Radar Systems: Air defence begins with high-frequency radar waves that detect incoming threats....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: The government is actively shaping an AI ecosystem where computing power, GPUs, and research opportunities are accessible at an affordable cost. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? It is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. Artificial intelligence allows machines to model, or even improve upon, the capabilities of the human mind. India’s AI Sector India as AI Hub: India ranks second in public generative AI projects on GitHub and houses 16% of the world’s AI talent. AI Industry Growth: India’s AI industry....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: The National Geospatial Policy 2022 positions India as a global leader in geospatial technology, ensuring that location-based intelligence powers the nation’s progress and prosperity. About National Geospatial Policy (NGP) It was announced by the Centre in  2022 and it replaces  the National Map Policy, 2005. It builds on the Department of Science and Technology (DST) guidelines issued in February 2021. These guidelines deregulated the geospatial sector and liberalized the acquisition, production, and access to geospatial data. It outlines a strategic plan to develop geospatial infrastructure, services, and platforms at both national and sub-national levels. It....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: The question of whether India should develop its own sovereign, foundational AI model has gained prominence as the world increasingly relies on artificial intelligence for various applications. With global tech giants dominating the AI landscape, the idea of India building its own AI model is both ambitious and strategic. About As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes central to economic and strategic policymaking, nations are racing to establish their leadership in this transformative technology. The rise of AI foundation models — large-scale AI systems trained on massive datasets — has raised concerns over technological dependence, data security,....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its historic 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. About GSLV F15 carried the NVS-02 navigation satellite placing it into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The NVS-02 is the second satellite in the NVS series, and part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC). It is designed to provide accurate positioning services across India. GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and 11th flight with Indigenous Cryo stage. Over these 100 launches ISRO has lifted 548 satellites to orbit. NVS Series....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The Indian government has approved ISRO’s Venus Orbiting Satellite mission, named Shukrayaan. Shukrayaan Mission (Venus Orbiting Satellite) Launch Details: Set to launch in March 2028. Estimated cost of the mission is Rs 1,236 crore. LVM-3 launch vehicle has been identified to place the spacecraft in an Elliptical Parking Orbit (EPO) Objectives: Atmospheric Studies: Analyze the composition of Venus’s thick, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. Study the extreme greenhouse effect and its impact on the planet’s climate. Surface Mapping: Utilize advanced radar technology to map the planet’s surface, revealing hidden geological features. Ionospheric Studies: Explore the upper atmosphere of....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: As the number of satellites goes up, there is an increased concern about the Space Junk. About More than 10,000 active satellites are in orbit around the planet. This number is estimated to shoot up to more than 100,000 by the 2030s. As the number of satellites goes up, so will the space junk pollution. Space Debris Junk from space objects falling to the earth involve relatively small fragments from rockets that survive the friction of the atmosphere. Space junk can vary in size, from tiny bits like paint chips, to larger pieces like old satellites....Read More